California Limo Fire Kills Five, Including New Bride

Tragedy struck what was supposed to be a celebration Saturday evening, when the back of a stretch limousine burst into flames, trapping and killing five of nine women, including a just-married bride. The 1999 Lincoln Town Car was crossing the seven-mile-long San Mateo-Hayward Bridge on its way to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Francisco, where 31-year-old Neriza Fojas would meet her husband for a party. The newlyweds had plans to travel in June to host a second wedding ceremony in the Philippines before the bride's family.

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The limousine driver, one of only five to survive, revealed bleak details from Saturday night's events, recalling that he was initially confused when one of the women tapped on the partition and alerted him of smoke. When the driver pulled over and climbed out, he saw that the entire rear of the vehicle was swallowed in flames. With his help, three women were able to escape through the passenger door, and a fourth crawled through the front partition to safety. "It was almost impossible for the others to get out as the fire was moving so fast," reported San Mateo County Coroner Robert Foucrault. Once firefighters arrived and doused the vehicle, they found five bodies, including Fojas's, huddled near the partition, evidently unable to squeeze through.

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The surviving women were immediately hospitalized after the incident and treated for burns and smoke inhalation. The limo driver later expressed remorse and thankfulness for his safety, saying, "We got out by the grace of God… It's something you never imagine will happen. It's a limousine ride—it's supposed to be a joyous thing." Foucrault says he doubts any foul play was involved in Saturday's disaster, but an investigation is ongoing.

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